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Celebrity Cruises Offers Cruisers All-Inclusive Options “Go Big, Go Better, Go Best”

By
John Shallo
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This,Is.Big

Celebrity Cruises is becoming the first premium cruise brand to provide guests with the flexibility to customize their vacation by bundling a variety of amenities into its cruise prices, with the option to create an all-inclusive offering. “Go Big, Go Better, Go Best” is Celebrity’s biggest and boldest program to date.

Vacationers can choose their favorite “perks” from the following options – Classic Beverage Packages, unlimited internet, prepaid tips and $150 in onboard credit per person:

Go Big: One perk included*

Go Better: Two perks included*

Go Best: All perks are included, and an upgrade to a Premium Beverage Package*

Go Big, Go Better, Go Best applies to guests booking an oceanview stateroom category and higher, starting today. Vacationers can select from more than 470 sailings departing between October 2015 and April 2017.

Not only can guests enjoy more flexibility and greater value, travel agents benefit from the new program as well. They earn more, and they have the opportunity to win one of three modern luxury vacations for two to almost anywhere in the world.

“While ‘123Go!’ captured everyone’s attention and prompted others to follow suit, we believe that Go Big, Go Better, Go Best, is our biggest and boldest offering to date,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises.

“Our guests have told us how much they would appreciate the flexibility to tailor their vacation, so we have bundled some of our most popular amenities into our cruise prices, allowing guests to create an all-inclusive offering. Choice matters, and we are giving vacationers incredible choice.”

Lutoff-Perlo added, “Go Big, Go Better, Go Best, will be a huge win for everyone – especially new-to-cruise guests – and we are especially excited about the opportunities it will bring to our valued travel partners, who have been overwhelmingly supportive of this new program.”

Travel partners can secure one entry into the Go Big, Go Better, Go Best sweepstakes with every stateroom they book in an oceanview or higher category for a Celebrity cruise departing October 1, 2015 – April 30, 2017. The three prizes include a Celebrity vacation and Go Big, Go Better, Go Best perks during their cruise. The sweepstakes begins today and is open through July 31, 2015.

For full details on the travel agent sweepstakes and Go Big, Go Better, Go Best, plus the full terms and conditions, please see the attached, and visit celebritycruises.com/gobigbetterbest.

*The ”Go Big” option provides each of the first two guests in an oceanview and above stateroom the choice of a complimentary amenity of a Classic Beverage Package, Unlimited Internet Package, $150 per person onboard credit (“OBC”), or Prepaid Gratuities for one low rate. For an additional charge, the “Go Better” option includes a choice of two amenities, and at a higher rate, the ”Go Best” option includes all four amenities (with beverage package upgraded to Premium). Charge varies by option and cruise nights. Go Big, Go Better, Go Best is not combinable with any other offers and is not available for contracted group space.

Full Steam Ahead! Carnival Corporation Granted U.S. Approval for Travel to Cuba

By
John Shallo
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Cuban Flag
Beginning in April 2016, fathom will embark on weekly seven-day voyages from Port Miami aboard the MV Adonia, a 710-passenger vessel redeployed from Carnival Corporation's P&O Cruises (UK) brand. (PRNewsFoto/Carnival Corporation & plc)
Beginning in April 2016, fathom will embark on weekly seven-day voyages from Port Miami aboard the MV Adonia, a 710-passenger vessel redeployed from Carnival Corporation’s P&O Cruises (UK) brand. (PRNewsFoto/Carnival Corporation & plc)

Most Cruise Addicts have had to admire the distant mountains and beauty of Cuba from the deck of a passing cruise ship. With the recent U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Commerce approval for Carnival Corporation to begin travel to Cuba. Cruisers will be soon pulling into port and going ashore.  Carnival Corporation intends to take travelers to Cuba beginning in May 2016 via its newly launched fathom brand – a new social impact travel brand providing purpose-oriented, social impact experiences, initially in the Dominican Republic.

Carnival Corporation intends to operate fathom travel itineraries directly to Cuba for the purpose of providing cultural, artistic, faith-based and humanitarian exchanges between American and Cuban citizens. Authorized under current U.S.-to-Cuba travel guidelines, the new Cuban itineraries on fathom will strictly comply with U.S. Department of Treasury rules that allow licensed travel companies to transport approved travelers to Cuba to engage in activities that support the Cuban people. Carnival Corporation is in active discussions and plans to work with the appropriate authorities in Cuba so that Cuban approval is granted.

Launched June 4th as Carnival Corporation’s 10th global brand, fathom is designed as a purpose-driven brand to enrich the lives of its travelers and in the case of the Dominican Republic, drive sustainable social impact on a significant scale. The brand expects to attract 37,000 annual travelers who collectively could spend a total of more than 100,000 days a year either volunteering or immersing in educational and cultural exchanges in local communities.

Carnival Corporation Launches fathom LOGOBeginning in April 2016, fathom will embark on weekly seven-day voyages from Port Miami aboard the MV Adonia, a 710-passenger vessel redeployed from Carnival Corporation’s P&O Cruises (UK) brand. fathom’s first impact destination will be the northern region of the Dominican Republic, where Carnival Corporation’s new port of call, Amber Cove, will serve as home base.

Following the inaugural April month of voyages to the Dominican Republic, fathom intends to offer both Dominican and Cuban itineraries on a systematic and regular basis, giving travelers the opportunity to choose from two destinations and a range of activities from social impact in the Dominican Republic and educational and cultural exchanges in both countries designed to have a positive, transformative effect on the lives of the travelers.

“We are excited about receiving U.S. approval as the very important first step to ultimately take travelers to Cuba under the existing 12 criteria for authorized travel. We look forward to working with the Cuban authorities for their approval to help make the social, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between U.S. citizens and the people of Cuba a reality,” said Arnold Donald, President and CEO of Carnival Corporation. “We know there is strong demand from travelers who want to immerse themselves in Cuban culture, so this is a historic opportunity for us to enable more people to experience Cuban society. It is also an important opportunity for our new fathom brand to expand its positive influence in the world with this potential to add full-week immersion sailings to Cuba to its already planned full-week social-impact itineraries to the Dominican Republic beginning in the spring of 2016.”

Tara Russell, president of fathom and global impact lead for Carnival Corporation, added: “We’re incredibly excited and humbled by this potential opportunity to help travelers experience the amazing beauty and culture of Cuba, while being able to provide educational and cultural exchange activities that will benefit both the traveler and the Cuban people. After establishing the Dominican Republic as our first partner destination, Cuba represents an important step for us to expand our ability to offer meaningful and enriching experiences to purpose-driven travelers. Our goal remains the same for both destinations – to enable travelers to immerse, learn, serve and flourish while making enduring, sustainable contributions on a scalable and systematic basis. We are looking forward to building what we intend to be a beautiful and lasting friendship with the Cuban people.”

231395Led by Russell’s strong background in social entrepreneurship, fathom seeks to develop lasting social impact partnerships that allow for meaningful personal enrichment of the traveler, while providing systematic, long-term educational, environmental and economic development benefits in its partner countries.

“We’re very interested in exploring the prospects of expanding our partnership with fathom to include Cuba, building new impact programs and lending our assistance to strengthen existing initiatives that will help educational, cultural and humanitarian efforts already going on in Cuba,” said David Luther, founder and executive director of IDDI, a non-profit organization with the mission to help alleviate poverty in rural and urban areas in the Caribbean. “IDDI has long-standing relationships in Cuba and more than a decade of experience working on the ground side-by-side with local officials to make a positive impact in Cuban communities. Nothing else like fathom exists to bring hundreds of like-minded travelers a week to communities of people who need ongoing support. With fathom and its travelers, the potential for making a lasting impact in people’s lives is tremendous. We look forward to partnering closely with fathom to take our programs to the next level, and support growth and prosperity for the citizens of Cuba.”

Travelers may reserve travel on future fathom voyages

Prices for the seven-day trip to the Dominican Republic start at $1,540 per person, which includes an exterior cabin with a view, all meals on the ship, onboard social impact immersion experiences, three on-shore social impact activities and related supplies, taxes, fees, and port expenses. Prices will vary by season.

Prices for seven-day itineraries to Cuba start at $2,990 per person, excluding taxes, port and other government and related fees, and including all meals on the ship, onboard social impact immersion experiences and certain on-the-ground cultural immersion activities.

Brownie Buoy Selected By Kids from St. Jude As Newest Flavor at Carnival Vista’s Cherry on Top

By
John Shallo
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Brownie Bouy

Brownie BouyIt’s Official! Brownie Buoy is the newest flavor that will be served at Carnival Vista’s Cherry On Top, a sweets shop featuring the Carnival’s first premium mixed-to-order ice cream venue.

The flavor was selected by patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® during an ice cream party held at the hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.  During the party, the kids were asked to sample three ice cream flavors that were previously selected by Carnival’s Facebook fans as part of a fun social media contest sponsored by the line.

Brownie Buoy – made with sweet cream ice cream, brownie bits, fudge and caramel – received the most votes and will be among the many treats served at Cherry on Top on Carnival Vista when it debuts next year.  Proceeds from each sale of Brownie Buoy will benefit the hospital.

The indoor/outdoor Cherry on Top confection store is among the many innovations on Carnival Vista, which will also feature the cruise industry’s first IMAX Theatre, a unique suspended cycling experience called SkyRide, and the line’s first raft ride, the 455-foot-long Kaleid-o-Slide.

Carnival’s partnership with St. Jude began in 2010 and was expanded in 2013 with the cruise line being named the hospital’s Official Celebration Partner.  Carnival is on track to raise $8 million for St. Jude by 2017 through a range of engaging activities so that families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

Carnival Vista is scheduled to enter service in Europe May 1, 2016, then reposition to New York for a series of voyages in November 2016 followed by the launch of year-round Caribbean service from Miami later that month.

Cruise fans, those new to cruising and travel partners can get a preview of Carnival Vista at www.carnival.com/carnivalvista or follow @CarnivalVista for regular Twitter updates.

Viking River Cruises Named #1 River Cruise Line by Travel + Leisure Readers

By
John Shallo
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VikingOdin-AquavitTerrace-0419
The Aquavit Terrace aboard Viking Longships

Viking River Cruises has once again been named the #1 River Cruise Line by readers of Travel + Leisure. The results of the annual Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards are based on a survey that asked readers to cast votes for the very best in cruising on the following characteristics: cabins/facilities, restaurants/food, service, itineraries/destinations, excursions/activities and value. The full results of the awards can be found at http://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best. This is the eleventh consecutive year that Viking has appeared on the World’s Best Awards list, and this year the company earned a score of 93.92 – higher than any other river or ocean cruise line.

“We are delighted to be named the top river cruise line and would like to thank our guests and the readers of Travel + Leisure for this great honor,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises.

“As the river cruise market continues to grow, we will never lose sight of the Viking Way of travel – we offer our guests the ‘thinking man’s cruise,’ not the ‘drinking man’s cruise.’ We provide enriching experiences for our guests in every destination, and we do it at a great value.”

Viking River Cruises Named #1 River Cruise Line by Travel + Leisure Readers | 15
A Viking Longship Veranda Stateroom

“The Viking Way” of travel is small ship cruises that focus on the destination, that provide authentic cultural touch points along the way and that offer a wide variety of choice for many different budgets and individual travel preferences. Every Viking itinerary covers a destination’s most famous sights and landmarks, but guests are also offered opportunities to go beyond the iconic and expected – a “Local Life” experience, such as a home-hosted visit; a “Working World” experience, such as a factory visit; and a Privileged Access experience, such as an exclusive, behind-the-scenes museum tour.

As a response to increased traveler demand for Viking’s destination-focused cruises, the company expanded its river offerings in 2015 with the launch of new award-winning Viking Longships® and new European itineraries. Since entering the North American market in 2000, Viking has continued to set industry standards with best-in-class river cruise ships, award-winning service, outstanding quality and all-inclusive itineraries offered at a competitive price.

In early 2015, Viking officially expanded into the ocean cruise market and with the launch of its first ocean ship, the 930-passenger Viking Star® – marking the arrival of the travel industry’s first entirely new cruise line in a decade. In June, Viking “floated out” its second ship, Viking Sea® at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard. Viking Sea is set to launch in early 2016, and the company’s third ship on order, Viking Sky®, is currently under construction for debut in early 2017. All three ships will sail popular routes in Scandinavia and the Baltic; and the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.

Booking Details

From now through July 31, 2015, Viking is offering U.S. residents an Early Booking Discount with 2-for-1 pricing on cruise departures and savings of up to $2,000 per couple on international air. To learn more about Viking River Cruises or to book a cruise visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.

Cunard Celebrates 175th Anniversary in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 10 July 2015

By
John Shallo
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Cunard 175th celebrations on the River Mersey, Liverpool pictured The Three Queens cruise liners Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria on the river. Photo by Colin Lane

Milestone Occasion Marked in “Ancestral Home” of Cunard with the participation of Southwest Properties, Waterfront Development, the Canadian Maritime Heritage Foundation, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Cadet Organizations, and the Halifax Port Authority

Cunard Commences 175th Anniversary Year with Spectacular Start
Cunard Commences 175th Anniversary Year with Spectacular Start

Cunard will celebrate 175 years of history, tradition, and industrial achievement in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 10 July 2015 when Queen Mary 2 calls on the ancestral home of its founder Sir Samuel Cunard. This commemorative Transatlantic Crossing will pay tribute to the original voyage made by the company’s first flagship, Britannia, in 1840. The flagship vessel is scheduled to arrive in port at 6:00 a.m. A.D.T.

Cunard will mark the milestone anniversary with a series of commemorative events, beginning with a special outdoor ceremony on the Halifax waterfront. Local dignitaries, port officials, and key members of the Halifax community will be in attendance as a part of the new public space of the future waterfront development will be named in honour of Cunard.

The ceremony will take place on the site of an upcoming mixed use development led by Southwest Properties and in collaboration with Waterfront Development. Nova Scotia’s popular Rhapsody Quintet will perform during the event.

Cunard has also joined forces with the Canadian Maritime Heritage Foundation and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to create the first Samuel Cunard Prize for Vision, Courage and Creativity. The prize will be given each year to an extraordinary individual who has demonstrated the qualities exemplified by Samuel Cunard throughout his life.

Cunard, together with its partners, will award the first Samuel Cunard Prize to James D. Irving, whose family enterprise has been growing business in Canada and the U.S. for more than 130 years. Working with his brother Robert and his father, J.K. Irving, the family’s visionary leadership has transformed the company into a world class performer in various industries, including ship building. Irving Shipbuilding Inc. in Halifax is engaged in reinventing and revitalizing a traditional industry in ways that promise to transform the economic prospects of the region.

“We look forward to honouring Sir Samuel Cunard in his birthplace of Halifax, and to celebrating the company’s first North American port of call,” said Richard Meadows, president, Cunard, North America. “Cunard is honoured to be one of the few companies who can claim a 175-year history and Halifax plays an instrumental role in that story,” he continued.

As part of the celebration, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic will re-open the Cunard portion of their Age of Steam exhibition and launch a new Samuel Cunard retrospective exhibit that will showcase the founder’s impact on global business, transportation and world events.

The exhibit, Cunard 175: Engine for Change is the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic’s celebration of Sir Samuel Cunard’s vision and achievement in revolutionizing maritime travel and global communications. His drive to create an “ocean railway” – with comfortable, technologically advanced ships making established oceanic passages – is continued by Cunard today. The museum will be opening the exhibit on 10 July when the guests of Queen Mary 2 arrive, and at 5:00 p.m. A.D.T, the museum will be open for free for the exhibit opening reception.

Upon departure, the Royal Canadian Navy will salute Queen Mary 2 from the Frigate HMCS Montreal as Royal Canadian Sea Cadets fire salute from the shore. The cadets are ages 12-18 and are part of a youth organization co-sponsored by the Canadian Armed Forces and the civilian Navy League of Canada.

Queen Mary 2 will depart the berth at 8:00 p.m. A.D.T. and then conduct a counter clockwise tour of the harbour. Upon leaving the berth Queen Mary 2 will proceed in a north easterly direction leaving Georges Island to starboard as she continues on a course that will take her approximately mid harbour and directly opposite HMC Dockyard (this is also the site of the original Cunard Wharves where RMS Britannia berthed). Here she will turn to port and fall into line with the escort vessels. The convoy order will be:

  1. Theodore Tugboat
  2. Tugboat Atlantic Oak (with water canons)
  3. Queen Mary 2
  4. HMCS Montreal

The procession will then proceed in a southerly direction close to the Halifax Boardwalk / Waterfront, providing ample opportunity for the public to view this ceremonial conclusion to Halifax’s celebration of Cunard Line’s 175th Anniversary.

A naval artillery salute will take place shoreside from the wharf of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic where music will be provided by the Stadacona Band. Queen Mary 2 and escort vessels will continue moving slowly southward along the Halifax sea wall and leaving Georges Island to port.

Upon passing Pier 21 the flotilla will be joined by yachts and other pleasure craft from the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron and other yacht clubs.

Queen Mary 2 will then continue on her commemorative Crossing sailing down to Boston and New York, with special events scheduled for each port of call.

For more information about Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth and to book a voyage, contact your Travel Consultant, call Cunard toll free at 1-800-728-6273, or visit www.cunard.com.

All About Cruising with John Shallo and Travel with Rick!

By
John Shallo
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Discover all the tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your next cruise with Cruise Addicts’; John Shallo and Travel with Rick!

Carnival Breeze Moves to Galveston, Carnival Magic to Port Canaveral in Spring 2016

By
John Shallo
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Carnival Breeze
Carnival Breeze

Carnival Cruise Line today announced deployment changes designed to enhance its leadership position in two key homeports – Galveston and  Port Canaveral, Fla., – while providing exciting “Fun Ship” itinerary choices in time for next summer’s cruise season.

Carnival Breeze will reposition to Galveston in May 2016 and Carnival Magic to Port Canaveral in April 2016, several months earlier than previously announced.  Carnival Breeze will assume Carnival Magic’s year-round schedule of seven-day day Galveston cruises beginning May 8, 2016. Carnival Magic will take over Carnival Valor’s current seven-day day Port Canaveral cruise program April 23, 2016.

In turn, Carnival Splendor will assume Carnival Breeze’s six- and eight-day Caribbean schedule from Miami May 1, 2016.  Carnival Valor will offer a new series of five- and eight-day departures from Port Canaveral beginning June 4, 2016 instead of October 2016 as previously announced.

“Galveston and Port Canaveral are two important markets for ‘Fun Ship’ cruising and these deployment changes provide our guests and travel agent partners with exciting new options featuring a variety of on-board innovations and visiting top destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Bahamas and Florida,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president.

 

Carnival Breeze to Launch Year-Round Service from Galveston in May 2016

Carnival Breeze will kick off its new Galveston-based cruise program May 8, 2016, departing every Sunday on three different week-long itineraries:  western Caribbean cruises calling at either Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, or Belize, Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan) and Cozumel, and a seven-day Bahamas/Florida route with stops in Nassau, Freeport, and Key West.

The line’s newest ship, Carnival Breeze offers such innovations as a multi-dimensional cinema experience called Thrill Theater, the Bonsai Sushi full-service Asian restaurant and WaterWorks, an aqua park that includes a 312-foot-long slide, a 150-gallon PowerDrencher tipping bucket, the DrainPipe funnel-style attraction and a splash area for younger cruisers.

Carnival Breeze, originally scheduled to reposition to Galveston in December 2016, replaces Carnival Magic which will reposition to Port Canaveral in April 2016.


Carnival Magic to Sail Seven-day Cruises from Port Canaveral in April 2016

Carnival Magic will reposition to Port Canaveral to operate seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning April 23, 2016.

Carnival Magic will offer two distinctly different week-long itineraries from the Space Coast – a western Caribbean route featuring Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan) and Costa Maya; and an eastern Caribbean option calling at St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk and Nassau or Amber Cove.  Prior to launching its new seven-day schedule from Port Canaveral, Carnival Magic will operate a special three-day cruise to Nassau April 20-23, 2016.

Carnival Magic was the first cruise ship to feature a suspended ropes course, part of an expansive open-air recreation area called SportSquare, as well as the Cucina del Capitano Italian family-style restaurant and the RedFrog Pub, a Caribbean-inspired watering hole serving the line’s private label draught brew, ThirstyFrog Red.

Carnival Magic’s previously announced schedule from Port Canaveral was scheduled to begin in December 2016.

 

Carnival Splendor to Offer Six- and Eight-Day Cruises from Miami in May 2016

Carnival Splendor will launch six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises from Miami May 1, 2016, departing alternating Saturdays and Sundays.

The schedule, which runs through December 2016, includes eight-day southern Caribbean cruises featuring Grand Turk, La Romana (Dominican Republic), Curaçao, and Aruba, along with eight-day eastern Caribbean departures visiting Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten.  Carnival Splendor will also offer a three-port, six-day option featuring Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Ocho Rios.

Carnival Splendor will offer a nine-day Carnival Journeys cruise round-trip from Miami departing May 26, 2016, and featuring an overnight call in King’s Wharf, Bermuda, as well as visits to Amber Cove (Dominican Republic) and Grand Turk. A number of special on-board activities and programming are planned, as well.

The 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor boasts on-board features like a 21,000-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa featuring a thalassotherapy pool and thermal suite, a retractable dome covering the mid-ship pool, and a classic American steakhouse serving prime steaks and other gourmet cuisine.

 

Carnival Valor to Offer Three- to Eight-day Cruises from Port Canaveral in May 2016

Carnival Valor will offer a new short cruise schedule from the Space Coast in May 2016 before launching year-round five- and eight-day departures in June 2016.

Three- to five-day sailings will take place throughout May and visit such popular ports as Grand Turk, Nassau, Freeport, and Amber Cove. The ship will also offer a one-time six-day cruise departing May 15 and featuring Nassau, Amber Cove and Grand Turk.

Carnival Valor’s year-round five- to eight-day voyages begin June 4, 2016.  Five-day cruises will visit Nassau, Half Moon Cay and Freeport.  Eight-day eastern Caribbean cruises will call at Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Kitts and St. Maarten; while eight-day southern Caribbean sailings will include Curaçao or Bonaire, Aruba and Grand Turk.

Carnival Valor is currently based in Port Canaveral and scheduled to undergo an extensive dry dock in spring 2016 that will add a variety of Fun Ship 2.0 innovations.

 

Additional Information and Reservations

Reservations are being accepted for all of these new itineraries for Carnival Breeze, Carnival Magic, Carnival Splendor and Carnival Valor.

For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

A Woman’s Vision Rocks the Music Cruise World with Largest-Ever Classic Rock Festival at Sea

By
John Shallo
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Pam Myers, pictured on Rock Legends Cruise III, February 2015 (PRNewsFoto/Landry & Kling)
Pam Myers, pictured on Rock Legends Cruise III, February 2015 (PRNewsFoto/Landry & Kling)
Pam Myers, pictured on Rock Legends Cruise III, February 2015 (PRNewsFoto/Landry & Kling)

Cruise event specialists Landry & Kling are pleased to announce the Native American Heritage Association (NAHA) has only a few cabin categories left for their Rock Legends Cruise IV, the biggest rock music festival at sea, sailing January 21-25, 2016 from Ft. Lauderdale roundtrip to Grand Turk.  Now in its fourth year, this is the first rock music cruise charter series backed by a woman.

A sell-out crowd of over 4,000 rock fans are expected to cruise in support of a great cause aboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, chartered by NAHA for 4 nights allowing fans to immerse themselves in a ’round-the-clock showcase of the greatest ever line-up of legendary rock bands performing their greatest hits.

IT BEGAN WITH ONE WOMAN’S VISION

When NAHA President, Pam Myers, sailed on a music cruise several years ago, it ignited her vision:  Why not plan a rock cruise as a fundraiser?  Her goal:  Bring like-minded people together, encourage artists to mingle with fans, and keep costs reasonable with a short cruise and no VIP packages or additional fees – all as a new way to raise money for the charity.  A great experience for the fans and the artists AND a successful fundraiser for the charity would equal a “win-win” for everyone involved.  NAHA (Native American Heritage Association) is a 4-star charity founded in 1993 by Pam’s father, David Myers.  It exists to help in-need Native American families living on South Dakota Reservations.

In pursuit of her vision, Pam approached some well known music cruise organizers who didn’t think she could succeed. “Those guys didn’t understand how persistent I am,” Pam says. So she turned to theme cruise specialists Landry & Kling – a women-owned firm with a staff full of women – who easily related to her mission, and Rock Legends Cruise was born: Pam explained:

“When we started this five years ago, I don’t think any of us imagined how big or how amazing this (incredibly insane) ‘little idea’ would become. But my dad always told me ‘do it well, or don’t do it’, so we set out to be the ‘best of the best’ and we’ve lived and learned with each of our past cruises. All of them had an incredible lineup, but next year, between the remarkable talent, a newer ship on a new itinerary and our ‘legendary’ fans, we fully expect Rock Legends Cruise IV to be the best one yet!”

ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE IV HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Fans sail with 22 Rock Legends bands, including Peter Frampton, Gregg Allman, Grand Funk Railroad, America, John Kay & Steppenwolf, The Marshall Tucker Band, Randy Bachman, Ace Frehley, Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band, Uriah Heep, Foghat, The Outlaws, Rik Emmett, Orianthi, Kim Simmonds & Savoy Brown, The Pat Travers Band and 6 more exciting Legends.
  • Sixty-four festival-style shows planned from 10 AM to 4 AM in various ship soundstages including theaters, lounges, and poolside. See Schedule of Concerts from last cruise.
  • The hilarious “Fun Size” stand-up comedy of Brad Williams, a Comedy Central star.
  • Along with concerts, Meet & Greets, Q & A forums, autographed memorabilia auction and special events, Rock Legends passengers will enjoy Independence of the Seas’ surf simulator, basketball, mini-golf, rock-climbing, four pools, and variety of dining venues.
  • The 4-night voyage includes a day in Grand Turk, in the Turks & Caicos Islands, where visitors can enjoy beautiful beaches, swim with stingrays or watch for migrating whales.

Working closely with NAHA, Landry & Kling has handled all cruise logistics since the original 2011 Cruise. “Rock Legends IV is going to be a rock festival like no other, with a mind-boggling 64 concerts over 4 days!” said Joyce Landry, CEO of Landry & Kling. “We are honored to team up with Pam Myers and NAHA to fulfill her vision of a fun fundraiser that supports Native Americans, the forgotten minority in this country, while giving rock fans an experience of a lifetime.”

For more information about the cruise and the staterooms still available, see www.rocklegendscruise.com or call 888-666-1499.

Carnival Corporation Finalizes Contract to Build Four Next-Generation Cruise Ships

By
John Shallo
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Carnival Corporation - Come Back to the Sea
Carnival Corporation Takes People 'Back to the Sea' in First-Ever Super Bowl TV Commercial

The vessels will feature a revolutionary “green cruising” design as the first-ever cruise ships powered at sea by Liquefied Natural Gas, the world’s cleanest burning fossil fuel

Logo-Carnival-CorporationToday Carnival Corporation signed a multi-billion dollar contract to build four next-generation cruise ships with the largest guest capacity in the world. The contract with Meyer Werft is part of larger previously announced strategic memo of understanding with leading shipbuilders Meyer Werft and Fincantieri S.p.A for nine new ship orders between 2019 and 2022.

The four new ships will also feature a revolutionary “green cruising” design. The ships will be the first in the cruise industry to be powered at sea by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) — the world’s cleanest burning fossil fuel, representing a major environmental breakthrough.

The company said two of the ships will be manufactured for AIDA Cruises at Meyer Werft’s shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Additional information about the ships, including which new ships will be added to each brand, will be made available at a later date.

Based on Carnival Corporation’s innovative new ship design, each of the four next-generation ships will have a total capacity of 6,600 guests, feature more than 5,000 lower berths, exceed 180,000 gross tons and incorporate an extensive number of guest-friendly features. A major part of the innovative design involves making much more efficient use of the ship’s spaces, creating an enhanced onboard experience for guests.

Pioneering a new era in the use of sustainable fuels, the four new ships will be the first in the cruise industry to use LNG in dual-powered hybrid engines to power the ship both in port and on the open sea. LNG will be stored onboard and used to generate 100 percent power at sea – producing another industry-first innovation for Carnival Corporation and its brands. Using LNG to power the ships in port and at sea will eliminate emissions of soot particles and sulfur oxides.

In addition to the two ships being built in Germany, Meyer Werft – which had the capacity to accommodate these four ship-building orders in its production schedule — will also build the two additional ships detailed in today’s announcement at its shipyard in Turku, Finland. Each new ship will be specifically designed and developed for the brand and the guests it will serve, underscoring the company’s goal to consistently exceed guest expectations and provide first-time and repeat guests with the vacation experience of a lifetime on each and every cruise.

Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald said the contract is consistent with the company’s measured capacity growth strategy to replace ships with less efficient capacity with newer, larger and more fuel efficient vessels over time.

“We are looking forward to executing on the next step in our fleet enhancement plan,” said Donald. “At a cost per berth in line with our existing order book, these new ships will enhance the return profile of our fleet. These are exceptionally efficient ships with incredible cabins and public spaces featuring a design inspired by Micky Arison and Michael Thamm and developed by our new build teams.” Arison is chairman of the board of directors for Carnival Corporation & plc and Thamm is CEO of the Costa Group, which includes AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises.

Added Donald: “It will be exciting to see our shipbuilding team bring these new ships to life. Every step of the way, our focus is on designing state-of-the-art ships that provide a vacation experience our guests will love, and we are putting all of our creative energy and resources into making sure we achieve that goal.”

“These ships will expand our leadership position for the Costa Group, the market leader in all the major European markets,” said Thamm. “These will be spectacular ships designed specifically for our guests who sail on our Costa Group brands.”

Bernard Meyer, CEO of Meyer Werft, said: “In past years, we have built seven highly successful ships for AIDA Cruises. We are honored that Carnival Corporation has entrusted us with the implementation of this ambitious shipbuilding program, and we look forward to building these four magnificent ships.”

The new ship order will allow the Costa Group to continue to build on its leadership position in the European cruise market – a market in which five out of 10 cruise guests in 2014 sailed onboard a Costa Group ship. The Costa Group – along with Princess Cruise Lines, also part of the Carnival Corporation family — also occupies the leading position in the rapidly growing cruise market in China.

As part of each shipbuilding company’s long-term strategic partnership with Carnival Corporation, additional new ship orders are being explored over the coming decade.

Holland America Line’s ms Noordam Comes to the Rescue of 40 Sightseers and a Park Ranger in Glacier Bay, Alaska

By
John Shallo
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Rescued Passengers board ms Noordam in Alaska - June 2015
Rescued Passengers board ms Noordam in Alaska – June 2015

While in the vicinity of Jaw Point at Glacier Bay, Alaska, Holland America Line’s ms Noordam assisted 41 persons on a disabled sightseeing boat Wednesday, June 10. Noordam responded to a call for aid at approximately 12:35 p.m. local time to assist the 79-foot sightseeing vessel Baranof Wind, which was experiencing mechanical troubles near Johns Hopkins Glacier.

Tender_Arriving_Noordam_Alaska_Rescue_June_2015_2048px
ms Noordam’s Tender Arrives to rescue sightseer’s aboard a disabled boat.

The ship lowered a tender, which collected 40 tourists and one Glacier Bay National Park ranger and returned to Noordam.

“We are proud of the proficient response Captain van Donselaar and his team executed in assisting the passengers of Baranof Wind,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “Our crewmembers are highly trained to respond when needed and we were fortunate to have been nearby to provide support.”

Following lunch onboard Noordam, the sightseers were brought to Bartlett Cove, where the Baranof Wind excursion originated, at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time. Noordam then sailed for its next port of call, Ketchikan, Alaska, where it arrived on Thursday, June 11.

Noordam was in the middle of a seven-day Alaska cruise that sailed roundtrip from Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 6.

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